 BIOGRAPHY Freestyling by the age of eight and on tour by the age of 12, Bengali-American rapper/producer, the1shanti, released his first 12" record, Blaxploitation, in 2000 on Soulspazm Records. The single featured El Fudge, R-Son, louis logic, and Kimani Rogers of the Masterminds and peaked at #13 on Gavin's hip-hop charts. Shortly thereafter in 2001, an e.p. entitled Deadline featuring El Fudge, R-Son, louis logic, J-Zone, and Willus Drummond was released on Downs Elementary Records. The e.p.'s self-titled single, Deadline, ascended to the #1 independent rap record position in HITS and was the most added single the week of its release. Recruited as front-man for Sean "DJ Cavo" Dinsmore's outfit, the Dum Dum Project (DDP), the1shanti relocated to London in summer 2001 to work on the group's release, Export Quaity and was featured next to Asha Puthli on the single Jaani Jaan (meaning of my heart, of my soul). A success in the UK, the group travelled to Bollywood to film the video and established itself as the first New York hip-hop crew to bring its style of true school rap music as a fusion offering to India. Returning to London as residents of the hugely successful Swaraj club night, DDP enjoyed continued success on the BBC and helped initiate the evolution of the UK's Asian hip-hop scene by continuing with a string of landmark releases including the hit, Punjabi Five-0. In addition, the1shanti was selected to remix and feature on A.R. Rahman's Shakalaka Baby for Bombay Dreams. Simeltaneously, Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin + Wood) featured on and released ElekTro4 for President in the States, a collaboration with Bully/Ninjatune producer ElekTro4 and the1shanti. In 2003 and 2006, DDP signed with Sony Music (Bec Tero) and HOM (Universal) respectively for their release, Spiritual Bling. the1shanti toured worldwide with DDP between 2002 and 2005 to promote the record. In early 2006, upon returning to New York, the1shanti founded Flatbush Junction Recordings and released a solo e.p. entitled All I Need. During spring 2006 hip-hop godfather, Afrika Bambaataa, bestowed upon the1shanti the honorary title of "India Bambaataa". In November of that year, the1shanti released his debut solo full length which carried the title. In the spring of 2007, Rawkus Records selected the1shanti as a member of the "Rawkus 50" (the 50 most influential next-generation hip-hop artists). the1shanti is currently preparing the release his self-titled sophomore album via Rawkus. |
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